Generation 2, Chapter 29 Part 1

Tearing open the next package, hoping for a different result than the first. Positive. This can't be happening. Not now. With trembling hands she fumbled with the last box. Waited the alotted time. Positive. She sank to her knees sobbing.

Coming home he entered the house, the only sound was the heart wrenching sobs coming from the bathroom. Did the mystery man call? Was this to be the last day he would spend with his wife? His pulse quickened as he knocked on the door before entering "Patricia are you alright?" Taking a deep breath he opened the door to find Patricia crumpled on the floor like a discarded rag doll, tears streaming down her face as she gulped for air between sobs. "Honey what's wrong? Did the man call?" Robert asked as his eyes roamed the room, taking in the debris of torn boxes and used pregnancy tests. Pregnancy tests? Oh god his mind screamed him as the reality of their situation sank in. Gathering Patricia to him, she mumbled "I'm pregnant. I can't be pregnant. Can't be ..." she turned wild red rimmed eyes towards Robert "what are we going to do?" she sobbed.

Holding her tight Robert had the overwhelming urge to scream at the unfairness of it all. It was hard enough for Patricia to accept not being here for the girls as they grew up. How could she leave a newborn baby? Worse, what would they do if the man came for her before she gave birth? There was no way he would be able to let her and his unborn child go. Squeezing her tight, he felt her heart beat against his chest, he knew what they had to do.

Lifting her face up to his he looked into her eyes "Patricia I know you were willing to leave the girls and me but with this pregnancy everything changes. I won't let you go. Who knows what they'll do to you or the baby!"

Shaking her head Patricia struggled to free herself from his hold. "We discussed this. I can't put you or the girls in danger. Maybe he'll give us more time, at least until the baby is born."

Turning away from her desperate almost hopeful look. Robert sighed "I think he's given us all the time we're likely going to get."

"Then what are we going to do?" she cried wrapping her arms around her stomach.

Grabbing her he pulled her close "we have to make a run for it and hope he doesn't find us."

Her mind was caught in a whirl wind of tornadic forces she stared at her husband, eyes wild not comprehending what he suggested. "How? Where?" she mumbled losing herself in minutia as darkness threatened to overwhelm her.

"We have to leave everyone and everything behind," Robert shook her as he watched her eyes glaze over fearing she was going into shock.

"But ... but .... they'll worry about us," she focused on him "they'll look for us."

"Let them worry," Robert told her as a sense of urgency filled him. "We have to break all ties. The sooner the better. We can't tell anyone, the less they know the better."

"But your family. Rob we can't do this to them," she protested.

"They'd understand if they knew the circumstances," Robert insisted. "Even if they don't I have to think of you and the kids. You come first."

"When? Where do we go?" Patricia asked slumping to the floor.

Going to her Robert gathered her into his arms. "Tonight. Pack only what we need. I'll go to the bank and withdraw everything I can."

Nodding coming to terms with what needed to be done. Wiping tears from her eyes and face she got up "you better hurry, the bank closes in an hour."

Watching her closely Robert nodded raking his shaky hands through his hair "I will." Taking a deep breath he rushed out of the house. Throwing the car into gear, turning towards town drove past the bank as his thoughts reviewed the plan he had come up with over the last several weeks. Without telling Patricia he had closed their bank account, withdrawing all their savings a week ago thinking that running was their only choice. At the time he had felt guilty for not confiding in Patricia but he knew she would stop him for fear of putting them in danger but he had hoped that in time he would convince her to see things his way.

He may have promised but he had no intention of letting her go, at least not without a fight. She was his wife, his love, his life how could he do anything else but fight for her? The children needed her as much if not more than he did. The pregnancy was an unexpected complication. It was going to be hard enough to run with two little ones now they had to do it with Patricia pregnant and all that entailed.

He pulled up to the prearranged meeting place and made the call "dad it's happening .... I'm here .... hurry..." A few minutes later Robert got out of his car to give his father a hug. Stepping back he wiped tears from his eyes as he was sure this would be the last time he would see his father again and feel his comforting support surrounding him.

"Son you know you have to do this don't you?" William looked at him seeking to give him the support and confidence he needed to commit to this course of action.

Robert felt the tremers inside him as he nodded agreement "I know dad. It's what has to be done to keep my family together. I thought I had more time but it's gotten even more complicated." Looking at this Dad seeking reassurance "Patty's pregnant."

"I thought that might be the case," William looked away and back again "I arranged a ficticious sale of my parents house in Hidden Springs." He handed Robert an envelope "the keys are in there along with the directions to get there."

Looking at the keys in his hands Robert felt sick as his world spun out of control. Shaking his son's shoulder William explained "the story will be Peter bought the house for his daughter. Everything will be in the name of Parrot."

William walked over to a nearby bench and sat down.

Following Robert sat beside him looking at the peaceful surroundings. Leaning forward he moaned "how did my life become so complicated?" he wondered aloud knowing there was no answer to be had.

Rubbing his back William was at a loss as to what to say. What comfort was there for someone running for their lives? How could you comfort someone leaving everything and everyone they know behind them? It was going to be a blow to the entire family when they realized Robert was gone. They had come to rely upon Robert and seek his advise when they needed help. They'd manage without him but William worried about how Gene would cope. Robert was the only one who understood him and gave him the confidence he needed to be better than he thought he could be. William hoped he'd be able to fill the gap that Robert would leave. He feared he would prove inadequate and that one or all would go looking for their brother.

"Can you trust him?" William asked out the blue. "If something goes wrong, can you really trust him to raise your children?"

Robert considered his father's question, nodding thoughtfully "yes I trust him. He's changed and grown up a lot." Shrugging "if nothing else he'd do it for me."

"You know I would do it, don't you?" William asked his tone flat looking away.

"I know dad but you have so much to deal with already. With mom losing her mind, the little ones and the new baby." Robert sought words to lesson the blow but he knew his dad was hurt none the less. The individual he chose to be guardian of his children didn't even know it yet. Hopefully he would never need to know but he knew in his heart he wouldn't let him down. He'd raise the kids like his own, Robert was confident of that.

Looking over at his son William smiled knowing Robert was right. He couldn't raise Robert's kids on top of his own. He was getting too old to want so many kids but he had little choice. He either complied with his wife's baby lust or watch her go out with other men to fulfill that need. Two children already he was raising, one he knew wasn't his the other was a question mark. Jessica was adamant that he was Paul's father but he looked so much like Susan that the doubts remain. He couldn't expect or want Robert to leave his children in that kind of chaos. He understood it, he accepted it but it sill hurt.

Robert got up and turned to his father "Dad I ... " choking on the lump in his throat he couldn't continue. William hugged him close "It's alright son. I'll do my best to make the other's understand. Think of your wife and kids. They need their mother. Go keep them safe." Giving him a final fierce hug William stepped back "remember if you need me, use the phone I gave you." Taking an envelope from his pocket he shoved it into Robert's hand "you're going to need this. Don't argue." He turned and walked swiftly away not looking back.

Robert stood there unable to move, watching his dad for the last time. He fought the urge to run after him, to hug him one last time. When his father was out of sight Robert crumpled to the ground unable to keep his feelings bottled up any longer. He sobbed as if his heart was breaking in two. It started to grow dark, Robert pulled himself together and made his way to the van. Sitting behind the wheel he looked at the envelope he still clutched in his hand. Opening it he found a large wad of cash, staring at it he gulped for air whispering "thanks dad."